Transparency Verdict
Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia earns a B.
Early read: mostly fair.
Based on a small number of verified deals so far, fees and pricing look fair. Read the out-the-door carefully and we'll update as we gather more.
Developing confidence — based on 4 verified out-the-door quotes and 2 tracked negotiations · Wauwatosa, WI
Collected Jan 6, 2026 – May 2, 2026 · Updated May 3, 2026
The full story
Why Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia earned this grade
Between January 2026 and May 2026, CarEdge negotiated or logged 4 verified deals with this dealership. We pulled the doc fee, the add-ons, and the gap between advertised and out-the-door price from each one. Then we graded them the way a friend in the business would: on the things that actually cost you money.
✓ What they do well
1 thingAdvertised pricing is largely honest
On average, the quoted price is only 1.8% above the listing — small enough to be fees, not markup games.
! Where to push back
2 thingsDoc fee is slightly padded
$499 is $79 above the WI average of $420. Not outrageous, but worth questioning.
TipAsk them to match the average. If they won't, factor it into your overall price — every dollar here is negotiable.
Add-ons show up on most deals
50% of quotes include dealer add-ons, averaging $499. Expect them to try to include something — paint protection, nitrogen-filled tires, VIN etching.
TipNearly all aftermarket add-ons are optional and removable. Say "please take those off the quote" and watch the OTD drop.
4 verified OTD quotes from Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia
Real out-the-door worksheets, not reviews. Click “View Quote” on any row to see the price breakdown.
Recent Quotes
Verified out-the-door prices from real transactions
2 vehicle transactions — 4 individual quotes
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Most Common Add-ons
At a Glance
Tips for Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia
- Minor add-ons (~$250) may appear. Ask what's included and if they can be removed.
- Dealer markup is only +2% above listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps their fees minimal.
- Limited data (4 quotes). Score may change as we collect more information.
Nearby Rated Dealers
These dealers near Wauwatosa have transparency scores based on verified pricing data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia's doc fee?
Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia charges a typical documentation fee of $499. The WI average is $420. This is based on 4 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia add mandatory add-ons?
Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia adds an average of $250 in dealer add-ons when present. Ask for an itemized breakdown and negotiate to remove non-essential items like paint protection, nitrogen tire fill, or VIN etching.
Is Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia a good dealer?
Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia has a transparency score of 86.1/100, earning a Grade B. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 4 verified OTD quotes. This is a well-above-average score, indicating transparent pricing practices.
How we know this
Every number on this page came from a real deal.
Most dealer review sites scrape star ratings and count angry posts. We do the opposite. CarEdge shops for cars alongside thousands of real buyers every week — and when we negotiate on their behalf, we capture the full out-the-door breakdown the dealer sends back.
For Russ Darrow Wauwatosa Kia in Wauwatosa, WI, that has meant 4 verified OTD quotes across 2 negotiated deals logged into our database. Each one is a PDF, an email, or a screenshot showing the actual doc fee, the actual add-ons, and the actual final price — not a salesperson's promise.
Fee Transparency
30%Is the doc fee reasonable, or is it just profit? We compare it against the state average — and the legal cap, where one exists.
Add-on Behavior
30%How often does the dealer try to stick on paint protection, theft deterrent, or nitrogen tires? And when they do, how much do they cost you?
Price Accuracy
30%Does the advertised listing price match what you'd actually sign for? We flag dealers whose out-the-door diverges from the listing.
Data Quality
10%More data = more trustworthy grade. Dealers with lots of recent, complete quotes score higher for consistency.
The four numbers behind the grade
Weighted ScoreThe raw component scores — the math that led to B.
Doc Fee Comparison
Pulled 4 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.
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